Engadget RSS Feedhttp://www.engadget.com
Engadgethttp://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gifEngadgethttp://www.engadget.com
en-usCopyright 2015 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/20/steam-sales-arrrrr-pirate-themed-today/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/20/steam-sales-arrrrr-pirate-themed-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/20/steam-sales-arrrrr-pirate-themed-today/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Ahoy, ye scurvy dogs! In honor of National Talk Like A Pirate Day, the landlubbers over at Valve have instituted a sale on pirate-themed games via Steam. Monkey Island, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, the Risen series and more all get their chance to come aboard your Internet-sailing vessel. Even space pirates - distant cousins though they may be - have slashed their prices with the buccaneer blade of savings. Aye, tis a good thing.

Ye'll have to be quick to snag these beasties though, me lads and lasses; at the time of this decree, there be just more than a day's worth of hours left on these sales. Avast and draw the main sail; set course for Steam!

Steam
]]>
assassins-creed-4-black-flagmacmonkey-islandpcpiratesrisensalespace-pirates-and-zombiessteamsteam-saletalk-like-a-pirate-daySat, 20 Sep 2014 10:30:00 -040011|20965296http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/ron-gilbert-imagines-a-new-independent-monkey-island-game/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/ron-gilbert-imagines-a-new-independent-monkey-island-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/ron-gilbert-imagines-a-new-independent-monkey-island-game/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsRon Gilbert is not making another Monkey Island game - we repeat, Gilbert is not making another Monkey Island game - but if he did, he has a few ideas for what it would look, feel and play like. In his latest Grumpy Gamer blog post, Gilbert lists upgrades and changes he'd want in a new Monkey Island game, including "enhanced low-res" visuals, hardcore adventure mechanics with minimal hand-holding, a huge inventory and dialogue puzzles.

Gilbert would want to rebuild the SCUMM language, in terms of its ability to rapidly iterate new ideas: "SCUMM lived and breathed adventure games. I'd build an engine and a language where funny ideas can be laughed about at lunch and be in the game that afternoon. SCUMM did that. It's something that is getting lost today."

Gilbert's wish list includes a team of 10 people or fewer, a boxed game, full voice acting, and a title of Monkey Island 3a, since "all the games after Monkey Island 2 don't exist" in his universe. He's even envisioned a Kickstarter free of frills or fancy videos, one that doesn't attempt to break any money-making records. Gilbert would need to own and control every aspect of the IP, meaning he wouldn't look for a publisher, and Kickstarter would indeed be an option.

Most shocking, though, is number 14 on Gilbert's list: "The press won't get advanced copies." Why do you tease so good, Gilbert?

]]>
Monkey-IslandRon-GilbertSCUMMThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandTue, 16 Apr 2013 16:00:00 -040011|20542546http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/steam-autumn-sale-adds-la-noire-fallout-new-vegas-monkey-isla/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/steam-autumn-sale-adds-la-noire-fallout-new-vegas-monkey-isla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/steam-autumn-sale-adds-la-noire-fallout-new-vegas-monkey-isla/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Before you venture over to Steam's Autumn Sale page, quietly recite your honed mantra of resistance: "I do not have time to play these games. I haven't even finished Skyrim. All these small charges add up in the long run."

Alright, now that you've done that and shown yourself a vague, minute attempt at adhering to frugality, you'll feel less guilty when you buy everything. L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition wants $24.99, Fallout: New Vegas is five bucks and the Monkey Island Special Edition bundle is cut down to $5.09.

]]>
fallout-new-vegasla-noire-the-complete-editionmacmonkey-islandpcsteamsteam-autumn-salevvvvvvzeno-clashThu, 24 Nov 2011 15:00:00 -050011|20114131http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/27/telltale-games-having-50-off-sale-until-january-3/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/27/telltale-games-having-50-off-sale-until-january-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/27/telltale-games-having-50-off-sale-until-january-3/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Okay, so you can't go Back to the Future or have a Poker Night at the Inventory, but you can point and click your way through most of the Telltale Games' catalog for 50 percent off until January 3, 2011.

That means you can listen to some Tales of Monkey Island, help Sam & Max with some freelance police work, invent a reason to hang out with Wallace & Gromit, or man up with Strong Bad (but only if you're attractive) at a significant discount on the Telltale site.

]]>
Monkey-IslandpcSam-and-Maxstrong-bads-cool-game-for-attractive-peopletales-of-monkey-islandTelltaleTelltale-GamesMon, 27 Dec 2010 11:45:00 -050011|19777726http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/unlock-guybrush-threepwood-in-star-wars-the-force-unleashed-2/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/unlock-guybrush-threepwood-in-star-wars-the-force-unleashed-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/unlock-guybrush-threepwood-in-star-wars-the-force-unleashed-2/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
As a fun exercise for the afternoon, you could try coming up with a canon-friendly explanation as to how nigh-mighty pirate Guybrush Threepwood -- spindly physique and all -- could become an inhabitant of the Star Wars universe. A bizarre curse wrought by the dreaded LeChuck? A mysterious inter-dimensional rift inside a mystical reef? LucasArts wizards looking to include a neat, unlockable model in next month's action-packed sequel, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2?

No matter the nature of your narrative, you'll have to make up the specifics for now. According to a winking LucasArts representative, "we're going to keep how it's unlocked a secret." We suspect "secret" is right -- as in, have a Secret of Monkey Island or Monkey Island 2 save file nearby. If it's not that, it's probably destroying one hundred flooring inspector droids.

I couldn't help but ask Monkey Island designer (and new Double Fine employee) Ron Gilbert what he thought of Guybrush's journey across the universe. "'Hi, my name is Guybrush Threepwood and I want to be a Jedi.' That was the original opening line in Monkey Island but they made me change it to 'pirate' and I had replace all the Stormtroopers with buccaneers and the Millennium Falcon became a pirate ship. Nice to see it's come back full circle," Gilbert said via email.

"I first heard about this last night and I wasn't sure what to think of it, but now that it's settled in, I think it's very cool. It says a lot about the strength of Monkey Island and Guybrush in that he can go toe-to-toe with Star Wars."

]]>
guybrush-threepwoodlucasartsmicrosoftmighty-piratemonkey-islandplaystationps3star-wars-the-force-unleashed-2unlockxboxWed, 29 Sep 2010 15:20:00 -040011|19653177http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/monkey-island-2-special-edition-enacts-lechucks-revenge-on-ipho/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/monkey-island-2-special-edition-enacts-lechucks-revenge-on-ipho/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/monkey-island-2-special-edition-enacts-lechucks-revenge-on-ipho/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Like your lulz on the go? Then you'll be interested to know that Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge will be available on the iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch. Even better: the iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch versions of the game will be available tomorrow.

The updated sequel sports an interchangeable graphics filter (switch between updated and original on the fly), full dialogue voice-over and even a new developer commentary mode. How's that for tickling your Threepwood?

]]>
ipadlucasartsmonkey-islandMonkey-Island-2-lechucks-revengemonkey-island-2-special-editionmonkey-island-2-special-edition-lechucks-revengeTue, 06 Jul 2010 23:30:00 -040011|19543885http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/monkey-island-2-special-edition-coming-to-psn-on-july-6-xbla-an/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/monkey-island-2-special-edition-coming-to-psn-on-july-6-xbla-an/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/monkey-island-2-special-edition-coming-to-psn-on-july-6-xbla-an/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Microsoft has announced that rejuvenated point-and-click classic Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge will launch on Xbox Live Arcade next Wednesday, on July 7th, for 800 MS Points. We've confirmed with LucasArts that the PC version -- distributed via Direct2Drive and Steam -- will also become available on July 7th, with the US PlayStation Network getting it one day sooner on July 6th. All versions will cost $10.

In this Special Edition, the Monkey Island milieu been instilled with all the modernity LucasArts could muster, including new high-definition art, fully voiced dialogue and 16-player Voodoo Doll Deathmatch a neat developer's commentary mode. As with the The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition, you'll be able to switch between the new version and the game's original form at any time. We find the pixelated Zombie Pirate LeChuck to be more unsettling, but actually hearing him describe the "Screaming Chair" this time may change our minds.

]]>
adventurelucasartsmicrosoftmonkey-islandmonkey-island-2-special-edition-lechucks-revengepcplaystationps3release-datexblaxboxTue, 29 Jun 2010 14:58:00 -040011|19535591http://www.tuaw.com/2010/06/28/crazy-summer-steam-sale-includes-some-fantastic-mac-games/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=TUAW.com&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/06/28/crazy-summer-steam-sale-includes-some-fantastic-mac-games/http://www.tuaw.com/2010/06/28/crazy-summer-steam-sale-includes-some-fantastic-mac-games/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=TUAW.com#comments
The PC gaming community has long enjoyed the ridiculously awesome Steam sales Valve loves to break out during holidays and at other fun times of the year. The sales deliver game bundles for crazy cheap prices, even on AAA current titles. Steam's summer sale kicked off a couple of days ago. For the first time, Mac gamers get to join in on the fun thanks to Steam's recent adoption of OS X.

While there are hundreds of Mac & PC titles on sale through July 4th, most of the best deals are found on a few select games featured each day. Today's sales have two good selections that Mac gamers may want to check out. For strategy fans Paradox Interactive's deep historical real-time strategy game Europa Universalis III lets the player control a European nation and rewrite history between 1453 and 1820 AD. For adventure gamers, a bundle of all five episodes of the previously mentioned Telltale Games' Tales of Monkey Island is also available at a great price. The clock is ticking -- but thankfully Valve offsets the time for most US timezones so you can get a chance to pick them up in the morning.

]]>
AltitudeBraidCivilization IVCivilizationIvcounter-strikedungeon-huntereuropauniversalisGaminghalf-life-2Hearts-of-Iron-3left-4-dead-2Monkey-IslandPegglePeggle-NightsportalSaleSteamtales-of-monkey-islandTeam-Fortress-2TeamFortress2valveWorld-of-GooMon, 28 Jun 2010 22:00:00 -040016|19534136http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/tales-of-monkey-island-on-psn-june-15-sam-and-max-episode-3-a-wee/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/tales-of-monkey-island-on-psn-june-15-sam-and-max-episode-3-a-wee/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/tales-of-monkey-island-on-psn-june-15-sam-and-max-episode-3-a-wee/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsPS3 owners who have recently seen the light of adventure games, thanks to Telltale's Sam & Max releases, now have another reason to load their PSN wallets: Telltale and Lucasarts will release the entire first season of Tales of Monkey Island -- all five episodes -- as a downloadable PS3 game on June 15.

Even if you won't be playing Monkey Island on PS3, this news likely benefits you. To celebrate the PSN release, Telltale is temporarily knocking down the price of the collection to $20 across all platforms -- not just PSN. The PC and Mac versions will also be sold at this discount price on Telltale's website through June 30. Obtaining the episodes this way is easier than hijacking a boat carrying shipments of Monkey Island games -- and actually cheaper, too.

Additionally, and especially if you prefer your Telltale protagonists anthropomorphic, you'll be pleased to know that Sam & Max's third episode of the third season, "They Stole Max's Brain!," will be available via (the North American) PSN and for PC and Mac on June 22; and the Euro PSN release will follow on June 23. And, hey, Sam & Max is on sale too! You can get the full season on PSN for $25.

]]>
AdventureLucasArtsMonkey-Islandpcplaystationps3PSNsam-and-maxsam-and-max-the-devils-playhousesam-and-max-the-devils-playhouse-episode-3Tales-of-Monkey-IslandTelltale-GamesFri, 11 Jun 2010 14:00:00 -040011|19512744http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/xbox-live-deal-of-the-week-monkey-island-for-5/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/xbox-live-deal-of-the-week-monkey-island-for-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/xbox-live-deal-of-the-week-monkey-island-for-5/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Here's another opportunity to find out The Secret of Monkey Island -- and at a discount before LeChuck has his high-def revenge this summer. The classic advent-arrr game is a mere 400 ($5) this week on the Xbox Marketplace -- that's less than a rubber chicken with a pulley in the middle.

A couple Monkey Island Avatar items are also on sale this week. The Cotton Swab is ready to clean 80 ($1) out of your account, while those on Team LeChuck can show it by picking up LeChuck Pirate Hat for 40 (50¢). To see the discounts, you'll have to be logged into an Xbox Live Gold account.

]]>
adventurelucasartsMicrosoftMonkey-Islandthe-secret-of-monkey-island-special-editionxblaXbox-360xbox-live-arcadexbox-live-deal-of-the-weekMon, 17 May 2010 12:00:00 -040011|19479977http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/grab-the-secret-and-tales-of-monkey-island-games-for-20/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/grab-the-secret-and-tales-of-monkey-island-games-for-20/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/grab-the-secret-and-tales-of-monkey-island-games-for-20/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
You know that phrase, "out with the old, in with the new?" Telltale recently put together a sweet little bundle that allows you to obtain the new while also obtaining (the renovated version of) the old, all for a reasonable price. Until this Friday, you can grab Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition and all five chapters of Tales of Monkey Island for $19.99. If only the bundle included something borrowed and something blue -- then you could easily use it to satisfy all of your nonsensical pre-wedding rituals.

]]>
adventuredealmonkey-islandsaletales-of-monkey-islandtelltaleThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionTue, 04 May 2010 10:45:00 -040011|19463788http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/instantaction-streaming-launches-play-monkey-island-in-this-pos/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/instantaction-streaming-launches-play-monkey-island-in-this-pos/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/instantaction-streaming-launches-play-monkey-island-in-this-pos/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
InstantAction's new streaming service has debuted, allowing select games to be played not only in a browser window, but in an embeddable applet if desired (for those of you running Windows, anyway). The selection of games is currently limited to just one, The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition. The service allows the game to be played for 20 minutes for free, with the option to buy it for $9.99.

Does it work? See above. You know. The Monkey Island game running directly above this text. Did you realize when you opened Joystiq this evening that you'd be clicking your way into the future?

[Update: We mistakenly called the service "Gaikai-powered," which is inaccurate. Gaikai will provide some limited functionality in certain use cases; however, the embedded game above uses InstantAction's "chunking" technology to feed the actual executable to your computer. How and when will Gaikai be used? Look for our interview with InstantAction CEO Louis Castle later today.]

]]>
AdventurecasualinstantactionlucasartsMonkey-Islandstreamingthe-secret-of-monkey-islandthe-secret-of-monkey-island-special-editionThu, 29 Apr 2010 22:50:00 -040011|19459736http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gaikai-and-instantaction-team-up-for-streaming-embeddable-games/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gaikai-and-instantaction-team-up-for-streaming-embeddable-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gaikai-and-instantaction-team-up-for-streaming-embeddable-games/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
If InstantAction.com's CEO Lou Castle is to be believed, we're apparently going to be playing games pretty much wherever we want in the not-so-distant future. He's just revealed plans (via IndustryGamers) to relaunch his site with a new business/distribution model and a partnership with game streaming service Gaikai. In addition to the already existing model of a quick download (a claimed 4 - 5 minutes) that still somewhat relies on your computer power to process the game's graphics, IA will now offer a streaming option for those who'd prefer a quicker, less hardware reliant gaming experience. "It's the perfect implementation of a thin client solution because when it's available it's brilliant and when it's not available it's ok ... you only have to wait a couple minutes."

The aforementioned streaming option (employing Gaikai) will also be embedabble on the web, as demonstrated with Assassin's Creed (not to mention to us earlier today) "Now if people are reading a review of a game, they don't have to go find it ... they can play it right then and there in the browser."

And that's just the beginning -- Castle clearly has an eye on digital distribution services when he talks about employing Facebook as "InstantAction's Xbox Live." IA's new distribution model essentially promises to developers/publishers the ability to release games with a variety of payment methods (pay as you go, free-to-play, one-time charge, etc.) while incorporating the aforementioned embed and streaming functionalities.

So far, the company has inked one deal for distribution (with LucasArts for The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition) and Castle claims to be pursuing others right now. And apparently it won't be too long before we get to check out the new system ourselves, as the revamped digital platform is said to be "launching soon."

]]>
business-modelsdigital-distributionfacebookfree-to-playgaikaiinstantactionlou-castlelucasartsmicrotransactionsMonkey-Islandstreamingthe-secret-of-monkey-islandthe-secret-of-monkey-island-special-editionThu, 11 Mar 2010 18:00:00 -050011|19394785http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/monkey-island-home-costumes-allow-for-dread-pirate-quincy/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/monkey-island-home-costumes-allow-for-dread-pirate-quincy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/monkey-island-home-costumes-allow-for-dread-pirate-quincy/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Does your dead-eyed Home avatar lack a bit of that buccaneering spirit? LucasArts has a sure-fire way to fix your lack of nautical flair: During its pirate-themed party at GDC, the company announced that Monkey Island costumes (pictured above) would soon make their way to PlayStation Home.

Now, we rarely get excited over virtual duds for our virtual manifestations -- but Stan's coat could really add a certain savoir-faire to our terrifying craft.

]]>
costumedlcdownloadgdc-2010homelucasartsMonkey-Islandplaystation-homeThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionThu, 11 Mar 2010 01:20:00 -050011|19392789http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/monkey-island-se-coming-to-psn-mac-telltale-instantaction/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/monkey-island-se-coming-to-psn-mac-telltale-instantaction/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/monkey-island-se-coming-to-psn-mac-telltale-instantaction/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
At a GDC 2010 event, LucasArts announced that The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition is headed to a plethora of new platforms and services. First and foremost, it's been ported for both the PlayStation Network and Mac OS. Furthermore, the game is also making the jump to the Telltale games store as well as InstantAction.com. There are currently no details as to when the game will hit the services mentioned above, but rest assured we're following up with LucasArts right now.

It's worth noting that InstantAction.com is currently down for "maintenance," with the site's blog mentioning some "exciting announcements" in the near future. Regardless of when the game does show up, it's definitely good news for adventure fans that have been deprived of the remake thus far.

]]>
AdventureInstantActionLucasArtsMonkey-IslandpsnSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionWed, 10 Mar 2010 22:12:00 -050011|19392647http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/report-telltale-porting-its-games-to-mac-hints-at-ipad/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/report-telltale-porting-its-games-to-mac-hints-at-ipad/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/report-telltale-porting-its-games-to-mac-hints-at-ipad/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
According to Mac|Life, Telltale will begin supporting the Mac platform starting on Febrary 8 with Tales of Monkey Island -- and, as what can only be described as a great idea, gamers will be able to download both the Mac and PC versions of Telltale's games for one price. In other words, you won't have to worry about which version you buy, because you'll be getting both. Tales of Monkey Island is to be the first title to receive Mac support, with Sam & Max, Wallace & Gromit and Strong Bad to follow (supposedly in that order, by the way). Both seasons of Sam & Max should arrive within "several weeks" of Tales of Monkey Island, with the others arriving in the following months, the site writes.

The report also mentions that Telltale plans to convert its entire catalog -- with the exception of Bone and Texas Hold 'Em -- according to Mac|Life. Its Telltale source declined to confirm if ports are on their way to the iPhone or iPad as well, though he did reiterate Telltale's desire to expand to as many platforms as possible.

When reached for comment by Joystiq, a Telltale representative called the report "totally unconfirmed," adding that potential iPhone or iPad support is "total speculation" at this point. According to the Mac|Life report, Telltale will be showing off its Mac titles at the Macworld Expo on February 11, so you can bet we'll be stopping by to find out.

]]>
AppleipadiPodmacMonkey-Islandsam-and-maxstrong-badstrong-bads-cool-game-for-attractive-peopletales-of-monkey-islandwallace-and-gromitWallace-and-Gromits-Grand-AdventuresThu, 28 Jan 2010 18:40:00 -050011|19336617http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-xavs-picks-of-2009/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-xavs-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-xavs-picks-of-2009/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsGrand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Upon release, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars immediately found its way on my top five games of 2009. With its style, humor and variety it's clear Rockstar was trying to shine a new light on the popular franchise. Not only that, Rockstar took chances in hopes to attract a similar audience to a handheld GTA as it has on consoles. From a new class of criminal, fighting for honor and turf in Liberty City to an addictive (albeit, mostly cloned from Drugwars) illegal narcotic mini-game, Chinatown Wars felt like a breath of fresh air. Sadly, the game was a commercial disaster, relative to its console-based siblings. Be that as it may, Chinatown Wars was not only my favorite on-the-go game of the year, it was easily one of the best games to release across any platform in 2009.

]]>
Applebeneath-a-steel-skybeneath-a-steel-sky-remasteredbest-of-the-rest-2009chinatown-warsDSgta-chinatown-warsiPodleft-4-dead-2MicrosoftMonkey-IslandNHL-10NintendoThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandtorchlightWiixav-de-matosXbox-360Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -050011|19297739http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/iphone-secret-of-monkey-island-half-off-soundboard-app-free/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/iphone-secret-of-monkey-island-half-off-soundboard-app-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/iphone-secret-of-monkey-island-half-off-soundboard-app-free/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
We're delighted to report that the iPhone version of The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition has been discounted 50% for the holidays. It's available for just $3.99 from now through January 4. If you didn't get it at half-price on Xbox (or even if you did), now you can enjoy savings on this version!

Our delight comes only partially from being able to tell you about a great price for a wonderful portable adventure game, but mostly from what we learned when we went to verify the price on the App Store: There's been a free, official Monkey Islandsoundboard app (iTunes link) available since September! We would never have known had the game not gone on sale.The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition ($3.99):

]]>
AdventureAppleiPodLucasArtsMonkey-IslandportremakeSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionsoundboardThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionTue, 29 Dec 2009 09:45:00 -050011|19296721http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/25/todays-xbox-live-deal-50-off-secret-of-monkey-island-se/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/25/todays-xbox-live-deal-50-off-secret-of-monkey-island-se/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/25/todays-xbox-live-deal-50-off-secret-of-monkey-island-se/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Yearning for a hearty adventure, but struggling to get by on the pathetic wages of a Caribbean flooring inspector? If so, today's advertised Xbox Live Deal of the Day (part of an ongoing promotion) should float your cup of tea -- right onto the shores of Monkey Island. The Xbox Live Arcade version of The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition has been marked down by 50 percent to 400 MS Points ($5).

Some readers reported having some difficulty obtaining yesterday's deal at the advertised price. If the reduced price doesn't reflect on the Xbox Live Marketplace yet, be sure to try again later today. And if you're the good sort that's already completed this classic bout of pirating, perhaps you should join us later today as we taste pies and assign numerical scores to them.

]]>
AdventureholidayslucasartsMicrosoftMonkey-IslandSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionXBLAxblmXbox-360xbox-liveFri, 25 Dec 2009 12:30:00 -050011|19294116http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/direct2drive-slashes-prices-on-lucasarts-games/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/direct2drive-slashes-prices-on-lucasarts-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/direct2drive-slashes-prices-on-lucasarts-games/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsDirect2Drive is offering some pretty good deals on LucasArts games this week. Three bundles are on offer, one catering to the adventure gamers out there, another for Star Wars afficionados, and a third that combines the first two into a massive LucasArts love fest. The bundles include the likes of Dark Forces, Indiana Jones, KOTOR, Jedi Knight, Monkey Island, Armed and Dangerous, and plenty more. The smaller bundles have been discounted from $49.99 to $24.49, while the massive bundle has been reduced from $99.87 to $39.95. Not bad for LucasArts fans. The sale ends November 23 at 10:00am PT.

]]>
dealsdirect2driveindiana-joneskotorLucasArtsMonkey-Islandsalestar-warsThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionWed, 18 Nov 2009 05:15:00 -050011|19243481http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/monkey-island-special-edition-team-unearths-lost-dialogue/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/monkey-island-special-edition-team-unearths-lost-dialogue/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/monkey-island-special-edition-team-unearths-lost-dialogue/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
As designer Adam Bormann dug through old code and notes while making Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition, he made a curious discovery. Along with notes from Ron Gilbert, Tim Schafer and crew, he also unearthed dialogue that didn't appear in the original game. Though the lines didn't make it into the special edition, Bormann, like a comedy archeologist, dusted off some of the best bits and collected them on the LucasArts Workshop blog.

Though we can see why some of it was left out, we can't help but feel a little wistful about how close we came to being able to ask Meathook for a sample of stump balm. And yes, now that you mention it, Meathook's Stump Balm would make a very good name for a band.

]]>
AdventureAppleiPodlucasartsMicrosoftMonkey-IslandPSNron-gilbertSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionSteamThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-Editiontim-schaferXBLAXbox-360Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -050011|19230479http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/attend-tales-of-monkey-islands-trial-and-execution-of-guybrush/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/attend-tales-of-monkey-islands-trial-and-execution-of-guybrush/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/attend-tales-of-monkey-islands-trial-and-execution-of-guybrush/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsTales of Monkey Island's fourth chapter will be available for download on this Friday, October 30. The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood features Guybrush stuck on Flotsam Island with a bunch of poxed pirates (including a greenish, poxed Elaine). Will he be tried and executed? Our guess is yes. The middle of this episodic game series seems like the right time to kill off the beloved protagonist of a long-running franchise. Why not?

In addition to a probably-dead Guybrush, Trial marks the return of Stan, the fast-talking salesman from the original games! Ever the classy businessman, Stan appears to be selling souvenirs at Guybrush's trial.

]]>
episodiclucasartsMonkey-Islandtales-of-monkey-islandtelltale-gamesWed, 28 Oct 2009 12:40:00 -040011|19213090http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/oh-the-huge-manatee-monkey-island-episode-3-on-wiiware-this-mo/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/oh-the-huge-manatee-monkey-island-episode-3-on-wiiware-this-mo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/oh-the-huge-manatee-monkey-island-episode-3-on-wiiware-this-mo/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsTelltale just announced that the third chapter of Tales of Monkey Island, called Lair of the Leviathan, will arrive on WiiWare this Monday, October 26. Given the success that the series has seen so far, it's sure to attract interest despite taking place in "the guts of a giant sea manatee". And not, we suppose, inside the rare land manatee.

Leviathan's PC version was released on September 29, giving it roughly a month of lead time over the WiiWare release. That means if you know any avid PC adventure gamers, you should stay away from them or risk being totally spoiled. They'll understand.

]]>
lucasartsmonkey-islandtales-of-monkey-islandtelltalewiiwareFri, 23 Oct 2009 17:15:00 -040011|19207862http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/monkey-island-2-cryengine-remake-defies-expectations/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/monkey-island-2-cryengine-remake-defies-expectations/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/monkey-island-2-cryengine-remake-defies-expectations/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsWe were all set to write a dismissive post about the video (after the break) of fanmade Monkey Island 2 environments in CryEngine -- "Hey, wonder what Monkey Island 2 would look like if it had all the life sucked out of it?" We don't have anything against loneclone, the modder who created the project -- we just assumed that the remake would take all the personality and quirk out, and replace it with hyperrealistic lighting effects.

But we can't snark about it, because loneclone completely nailed it. It looks pretty much exactly like the original, but in 3D. You can see art comparisons at the modder's site.

]]>
cryenginelonecloneMonkey-IslandMonkey-Island-2-lechucks-revengeremakeMon, 21 Sep 2009 18:00:00 -040011|19168283http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/celebrate-talk-like-a-pirate-day-with-free-and-cheap-monkey-isla/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/celebrate-talk-like-a-pirate-day-with-free-and-cheap-monkey-isla/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/celebrate-talk-like-a-pirate-day-with-free-and-cheap-monkey-isla/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsTelltale Games and LucasArts are observing the September 19 not-quite-holiday Talk Like a Pirate Day in fine form. What do pirates talk about? All the games they got without paying, of course! On that great day, you'll be able to unlock the demo of the first episode of Tales of Monkey Island by gathering a code from the company's website. You'll also be able to get the full season for five bucks off. You can grab that demo now straight from Big Download so you're good and ready.